Barbados emerge tops in shooting

Smoking Barrels in collaboration with the Barbados Rifle Association and IPSC Barbados recently hosted the second IPSC level III Regional Competition in Barbados. And when the smoke cleared Barbados had retained the regional shooting title by winning all three divisions contested.

The competition branded, Smoking Barrels – Regional Stand Off, included participants from countries such as Guyana, St Lucia, Jamaica, Grenada and Trinidad and Tobago, all vying for the title of regional champion and regional team champions. Athletes competed in the International Practical Shooting Confederation (IPSC) discipline of shooting.

The tournament had 60 competitors and spanned three divisions (Standard, Open and Production). Spectators were astonished as they watched regional teams at their best competing through 12 challenging stages.

Kevin Grant, the match director, along with the IPSC Barbados management team, officials from the National Range Officer Institute of Barbados, the Barrel Babies, and United Artisans executed yet another world class tournament that was recognized at the International level. Celltronics, Preferred Insurance Brokers, Tropical Tree Services, Barbados Rifle & Pistol Federation, Shorelinez, Carters & Co. and Ellco Rental contributed greatly to the success of this match.

The Barbados shooting team displaying their trophies.

Twenty-three shooters competed in the Standard Division. The weekend showed great promise as Barbados’ Richard Durant managed to hold on to third place with 805 points. Leading him was Sean Banfield in second with 949. Winning the division was Ronald Brown from Jamaica. He earned the highest award IPSC grants to its competitors – the President Medal.

Thirteen participants competed in the Production Division and battled for the title of production regional champion. Placing third in this division was Dale Singh of Trinidad and Tobago with 839 points. Rodney Clarke placed second with 927 and dominating the division once again was home shooter Adrian Marshall with 995 points. Marshall was also awarded yet another President’s Medal.

The Open Division was very competitive as 19 competitors battled their way through. Securing third spot for Barbados was Glen Griffin with 876 points. Trinidad and Tobago’s Anthony Bailey took second place with 933. Shooting in the open division for the first time, Barbados’ Kevin “Enforcer” Grant proved unstoppable as he accumulated a remarkable 972 points. He was awarded his first President’s Medal.

There were also prizes awarded for various categories such as women and seniors. Winning the ladies category was new shooter Shari Layne-Elibox with 425 points. She ran through her courses of fire securing her position and maintaining safety. The senior or 50+ division was very competitive. Nine competitors battled their way through 12 amazing stages. Trinidad and Tobago’s Brian Armstrong won the first President’s Medal for his country in the seniors division with 662 points.

There was a category for newly certified shooters, and the top three from that group were awarded. In third place was Layne-Elibox with 425 points, Ryan Thom from Tobago placed second with 474 points while home-grown Roger Lindo won the overall category with an amazing 524 points.

Organizers stated that IPSC Barbados would be hosting the IPSC National Pistol Championship in November in efforts to bring competitors from all over the region to the island to celebrate the island’s 50th Anniversary.

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